Category: Music

ALICE IN CHAINS have announced the first leg of their 2014 headlining tour of North America, set to kick off April 25th at the Brady Theatre in Tulsa (itinerary beow). It’ll be a busy year for the band, who are also playing a slew of international festivals, including Soundwave in Australia, the Singapore Rock Festival, Italy’s Rock in Roma, France’s Main Square Festival, the Sonisphere Festival (sharing the stage with Metallica) in Switzerland, Warsaw and London, the Czech Republic’s Aerodrome Festival and Vienna’s Krieau Rocks.

In other words, they’re picking up where they left off in 2013, which saw them traveling the world on a sold-out tour that included dates in the US, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, the UK and Canada. The band (vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, vocalist/guitarist William DuVall, drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez) is touring in support of Grammy-nominated album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, which entered Billboard’s Top 200 chart at No. 2 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums Chart, Top Rock Albums Chart, Hard Rock Albums Chart and iTunes Rock Album Chart. The album’s first two singles, “Stone” and “Hollow,” both hit No. 1 on the rock charts with their companion videos racking up close to 5 million combined YouTube views.

Rolling Stone gave The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here three stars, as did USA Today, who praised it as an album of “undeniable power.” Spin called it “an assured, diverse, heated record with galvanized hooks, ”Pitchfork said it’s “as insistent as [1992’s landmark album] Dirt,” and the Seattle Times wrote, “Jerry Cantrell, William DuVall, Mike Inez and Sean Kinney continue to defy expectations” and that “Alice In Chains is better than ever.”

Dates for the U.S. tour are as follows:

April 25 Tulsa, OK Brady Theatre

April 26 Thackerville, OK Winstar Casino

April 28 Austin, TX ACL Live – Moody Theatre

April 29 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center

May 1 Tunica, MS Horseshoe Tunica

May 2 Cherokee, NC Harrah’s Cherokee

May 4 West Palm Beach, FL Sun Fest (Meyer Stage)

May 6 N. Charleston, SC N. Charleston PAC

May 7 Raleigh, NC Memorial Auditorium

May 9 Atlantic City, NJ Ovation Hall @ Revel

May 10 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Casino MGM

May 12 Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre

May 13 Reading, PA Sovereign PAC

May 14 Roanoke, VA Roanoke PAC

May 16 Huntington, WV Big Sandy Arena

May 17 Cincinnati, OH Horseshoe Casino

May 19 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

May 20 Battle Creek, MI Kellogg Arena

May 22 Elizabeth, IN (Louisville) Harrah’s Southern Indiana

May 23 Davenport, IA Adler Theatre

May 24 Council Bluffs, IA Harrah’s Stir Cove

In other news, the band recently partnered with nonprofit organization Music For Relief to auction one-of-a-kind items and memorabilia to raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The promotion was tied to the band’s annual Alice In Chains & Friends Fantasy Football League Charity Auction. Proceeds went toward helping the survivors and aiding Music For Relief in delivering medicine, emergency medical services, water, sanitation and disease prevention efforts to the 12 million people impacted by the storm.

Following the success of The Mighty Swine’s 2012 release, Lust, and hot on the heels of Chastain’sSurrender to No One, (Leviathan Records)Bassist Mike Skimmerhorn (CJSS/Chastain/The Mighty Swine) returnswith new Guitarist, Stacey Donahue, and new Drummer, Rory Faciane to record their sophomore release for Broad Horizon Records.

“After working with David (Chastain) again I knew I had to find a guitarist that was going to wow the purists. The (Chastain) fans demand a certain level of playing & I knew I had to step it up with the new Swine material.”

Enter Stacey Donahue, a relatively unknown outside Northern Ohio with the potential to become ahousehold name. Influenced by Randy Rhoads , Yngwie Malmsteen, & Eddie Van Halen. Stacey brings a progressive style to the otherwise heavy metal thunder of The Mighty Swine and picks up where Lust left off. Infusing emotion with technical ability, Stacey creates a sound that is both classic & progressive at the same time without feeling forced or sterile.

Drummer Rory Faciane is a Louisiana native who is making quite a name for himself in Nashville, both on the local and national music scene with his drumming talent. Modern Drummer calls him “a drummer on the move” having recorded albums with rock band Knorr, releasing several drum education videos, and tuning drums for bands like 12 Steps & Mudvayne. A highly sought out session drummer, Rory brings a highly charged assault of the senses on the up coming release.

Billed as a cross between Megadeth and Satriani, the band finds itself hard to define, which is fine by Skimmerhorn; “I don’t care what they want to label us – the fact that I am still creating music that is being recognized by the industry and fans alike is all that I care about right now…labels come & go – the music lasts forever.”

And getting recognized they are. The video for LUST broke 20,000 views on YouTube the first few months out and was listed by Artist Pro as the featured video of the week. It also charted at #1 for 13 weeks straight on Roxwel.com’s Metal AND Rock Charts beating out FFDP, Black Veil Brides, & Megadeth. The band was nominated for a C.E.A. (Cincinnati Entertainment Award) for Best Hard Rock Band (2012) and receive airplay internationally.

The Mighty Swine once again return to Fat Track Studios in Cincinnati Ohio to finish up tracks for their upcoming release, Last Man Standing, alongwith engineer Rob Nadler & Producer Jimi Starr. The 10 song disc will contain 9 original songs, including the title track, along with a scorching rendition of the Judas Priest classic, Hell Bent for Leather, a sort of tongue in cheek nod to Chastain vocalist Leather Leone who Mike recently recorded Surrender to No One with. Hailed by many as one of the most powerful and most influential female vocalists in history of Heavy Metal music Mike has clearly performed with the best, and the upcoming release will leave no doubt in anyone’s minds who will be the Last Man Standing.

Swedish punk/metal act SISTER, whose new album Disguised Vultures just dropped on January 24 in Europe, and premiered their new video “My Enemy” via Revolver Magazine. You can check out the clip below.

Los Angeles, CA (January 28, 2014) – After more than three decades together, iconic rock ‘n roll band MÖTLEY CRÜE announced today their Final Tour and the band’s ultimate retirement. The announcement was solidified when the band signed a formal Cessation Of Touring Agreement, effective at the end of 2015, in front of global media in Los Angeles today. Celebrating the announcement of this Final Tour, the band will perform on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live TONIGHT and will appear on CBS This Morning TOMORROW MORNING.

With over 80 million albums sold, MÖTLEY CRÜE has sold out countless tours across the globe and spawned more than 2,500 MÖTLEY CRÜE branded items sold in over 30 countries. MÖTLEY CRÜE has proven they know how to make a lasting impression and this tour will be no different; Fans can expect to hear the catalogue of their chart- topping hits and look forward to mind-blowing, unparalleled live production. “When it comes to putting together a new show we always push the envelope and that’s part of Motley Crue’s legacy,” explains Nikki Sixx (bass). “As far as letting on to what we’re doing, that would be like finding out what you’re getting for Christmas before you open the presents. We think in an age of too much information, we’d like to keep some surprises close to our chest until we launch the Final Tour.”

The Final Tour presented by Dodge and produced by Live Nation will kick off in North America on July 2nd in Grand Rapids, MI and reach 72 markets before hitting international territories in 2015. To Live Nation MÖTLEY CRÜE tours are not only box office successes but artistically their shows have set the bar for production and entertainment value. “There’s no arguing that Motley Crue have been and always will be the definitive bad boys of rock and roll,” says Rick Franks, Live Nation’s Regional President of North America Concerts. “But behind all those notorious stories is a legendary rock band that has revolutionized heavy metal and created some of the biggest hits in music history. They are a hugely successful global brand and a touring powerhouse. Everyone at Live Nation has a tremendous amount of respect for these hard working and extremely talented gentlemen. The music industry will never have another Motley Crue.”

The Dodge brothers were a notorious duo, so it seemed only natural to partner with the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band. “Whenever I talk to people about Motley Crue, the common thread is how cool and relevant the band remains even after 33 years,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This irreverent ‘staying power’ resonates deeply with the Dodge brand as we turn the corner on our 100 year anniversary. What better way to celebrate the band’s final tour and the 25th anniversary of Kickstart My Heart than to do it together?”

Fans can look forward to Very Special Guest ALICE COOPER joining MÖTLEY CRÜE for an incredible package – Alice invented the genre and MÖTLEY CRÜE put steroids in it! “Real hard rock bands are hard to find these days,” said Alice, continuing,”Motley has always gone on stage with one attitude and that’s to blow the audience away. That’s exactly how we do it. Putting Motley Crue and Alice Cooper together is going to be just what this summer really NEEDS. We’re going to go out there and tear it up, and I can’t wait to see Motley on stage. Motley Crue and Alice Cooper – A match made in… Armageddon?”

As documented in the Cessation Of Touring Agreement the band signed at the press conference today, the band will not tour after this Final Tour. Band Attorney, Doug Mark of Mark Music & Media Law, explains “Other bands have split up over rancor or the inability of people to get along, but this is a mutual among all four original members and peaceful decision to move on to other endeavors and to confirm it with a binding agreement.” Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, and Mick Mars will go their separate ways after the lengthy 2-year touring cycle. Tommy Lee (drums) explains “Everything must come to an end!! We always had a vision of going out with a big fucking bang and not playing county fairs and clubs with 1 or 2 original band members! Our job here is done!!!” Of the band’s tumultuous history, Mick Mars (guitar) adds “(It has been) more drama than ‘General Hospital’ it keeps ‘em watchin’ and they keep comin’ back.” Vocalist, Vince Neil says of the Finality of the tour – “I’ll miss playing with the guys but I won’t quit playing rock and roll!! I feel there are a lot of great opportunities and exciting projects after Motley.”

The Final Tour will coincide with the film made from MÖTLEY CRÜE’s NY Times Best-Selling book The Dirt. Jeff Tremaine (Bad Grandpa) has signed on to direct the opus that is set to debut in theaters globally in 2015, coinciding with The Final Tour. The Dirt is not only one of the best selling rock books of all time but also one of the greatest rock books of all time because of its brutal honesty, its unique voice, its multiple perspectives on the same events and its first-person inclusion of all members of the same band. Most rock memoirs are salacious mud-slinging accounts of a single person and MÖTLEY CRÜE was adamant to include the perspectives of all four of its members. Tremaine’s intention is to make, not just a great movie about a band, but a great movie about four misfits who, despite themselves and everyone else, band together to overcome the odds and change the history of Rock & Roll. “The Dirt’ is a movie I’ve wanted to make ever since I read the book in 2002,” says Tremaine. “I relate to the story on so many levels; my whole professional career has been about boys behaving badly, so I have a real connection to the material. It’s awesome to be working with the band at such an exciting time in Motley Crue’s history.” The film will be produced by the members of MÖTLEY CRÜE, Rick Yorn, Julie Yorn, Erik Olsen and 10th Street Entertainment.

BIG MACHINE RECORDS, home to Country Superstars such as Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw has teamed up in a joint venture with MÖTLEY RECORDS and ELEVEN SEVEN MUSIC for the summer 2014 release of a Country Music Tribute To MÖTLEY CRÜE. BIG MACHINE founder and CEO, Scott Borchetta, is among the legion of Country Music fans who love MÖTLEY CRÜE. The country tribute album will show off the band’s quality songwriting with these fresh takes on their classic hit songs. Among the artists already confirmed to be featured on the country tribute album is Florida Georgia Line. Borchetta says of the collaboration, “I have been a not-so-secret Crue fan from the beggining. When manager Chris Nilsson called with the idea for a tribute album on Big Machine Records it was an immediate ‘yes’ from me! Our album will highlight just how great the Motley Crue song catalog is. At the end of the day, that’s what will stand the test of time.”

MÖTLEY CRÜE Fan Club members will get the exclusive first crack at tickets and VIP Packages, via a unique code, beginning on Wednesday, January 29th starting at 10am local time. VIP ticket packages will be made available to the general public on Thursday, January 30th at 10am local time. The general public ticket on-sale for most shows is Friday, January 31st. All tickets and packages can be obtained via Ticketmaster.com, LiveNation.com, or via MotleyVIP.com.

ABOUT MÖTLEY CRÜE
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, the quartet—Vince Neil (vocals), Mick Mars (guitars), Nikki Sixx (bass) and Tommy Lee (drums)—has commandeered the rock pantheon for over 30 years. In that time, they have accumulated worldwide album sales exceeding 80 million, seven platinum or multi-platinum albums, 22 Top 40 mainstream rock hits, six Top 20 pop singles, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, three Grammy nominations, four New York Times bestsellers (including the band’s biography, THE DIRT) and countless sold out tours across the globe, playing to millions of fans. Motley Crue was the first rock band in history to have completed an epic sold-out Las Vegas residency at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The band continues to remain on the forefront of entertainment reinventing themselves via not only their music but also their mind blowing live shows featuring never seen before elements, such as Tommy Lee’s 360 drum roller coaster. Motley Crue was featured in KIA MOTORS’ award winning 2012 Super Bowl commercial.

About Dodge Brand
The Dodge brand is tearing into its centennial year with a keen eye focused on the future and a desire to create vehicles customers can’t wait to drive and are proud to park in their driveways. With 100 years of history, Dodge is building on the technological advancements of the ‘30s and ‘40s, design evolution of the ‘50s, the racing heritage of the ‘60s, the horsepower of the ‘70s, the efficiency of the ‘80s and unbelievable styling of the ‘90s as it paves the road to its future. New for 2014, the Dodge Durango “is kind of a big deal,” with a new eight-speed transmission that delivers up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway, a new 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch infotainment center and best-in-class power, towing and fuel economy, in addition to its class-exclusive technology. The new Durango joins the new 2014 Dodge Dart with its new 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, as well as the 2014 Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Journey and a 30th Anniversary Grand Caravan. This 2014 Dodge lineup includes five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety picks and Top Safety Pick +, five vehicles with best-in-class power, seven vehicles that deliver 25 miles per gallon (mpg) or higher, three vehicles that deliver 31 mpg or higher and three vehicles that offer seating for seven.

About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of four market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Artist Nation Management and Live Nation Media/Sponsorship. For additional information, visit http://www.livenation.com/investors.

ABOUT Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is a true rock icon, having pioneered the use of theatrics and shocking images onstage in concerts from the earliest days of the original band of the same name. Since going solo, he has continued to produce elaborate stage shows providing fans with both shock and rock of the highest caliber. Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, Alice has toured and recorded continuously, with his most recent album beingWelcome 2 My Nightmare through UMe. Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original ground breaking, multi-platinumWelcome To My Nightmare album in 1975. Alice’s lengthy catalog of hits and anthems include “I’m Eighteen,” “No More Mr Nice Guy,” School’s Out,””Billion Dollar Babies,” “Elected,” and”Poison.” Currently, Alice’s touring band features the three guitar attack of Orianthi, Tommy Henriksen and Ryan Roxie, backed by bassist Chuck Garric and drummer Glen Sobel. “Nights With Alice Cooper,” Alice’s nightly radio show, is available in nearly 100 cities in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The show features his favorite classic rock songs along with his insider anecdotes about many of the artists. Additionally, 2014 will see the release of “Super Duper Alice Cooper,” a documentary film on Alice’s career path and journey through life, from Banger Films,the same team that produced recent award-winning documentaries on Rush and Iron Maiden.

About Big Machine Label Group
At the helm of the independent Big Machine Label Group is industry veteran Scott Borchetta, who serves as President and CEO. The conglomerate encompasses Big Machine Records (founded in 2005), The Valory Music Co. (founded in 2007) and Republic Nashville (a partnership with Universal Republic founded in 2009 with Jimmy Harnen serving as President). The Big Machine Label Group’s current artist roster includes Multi-Platinum superstars Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Reba; Platinum sensations The Band Perry and Florida Georgia Line; Legendary group The Mavericks; Gold-selling artists Brantley Gilbert and Justin Moore; Chart-topping act Eli Young Band as well as Hot newcomers Thomas Rhett, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Laura Bell Bundy, The Cadillac Three and Danielle Bradbery, in addition to soundtracks for ABC’s hit drama “NASHVILLE.” BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, American Music Awards, CMT Music Awards, Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Award and People’s Choice Award accolades as well as Brit Award and JUNO Award nominations. In 2012 BMLG rejuvenated its publishing arm with Big Machine Music, which has created a joint venture with Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald’s Prescription Songs, allowing the two companies to co-publish songwriters and artists whose unique talents translate across genres. Big Machine was also the first-ever label to align with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights. The label group has also forayed into the racing world, sponsoring the Brickyard 400 as well as back-to-back Indy500 drivers.

About Jeff Tremaine
Jeff Tremaine, along with Spike Jonze and Johnny Knoxville, created jackass, a television series that became a cultural phenomenon, spawning the franchise of hits: jackass: the movie, jackass number two and jackass 3D, which were all #1 at the box office. Beyond jackass, Tremaine created and executive produced a number of television series, including MTV’s Wildboyz, Rob & Big, Nitro Circus, Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, Ridiculousness, and the Adult Swim series, Loiter Squad. He has also directed and produced a number of music videos and documentaries. Most recently, Tremaine directed “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”, another #1 box office hit, which was released by Paramount Pictures on October 25th, 2013.

Kix. Extreme. Night Ranger. Tesla. Stryper. Sebastian Bach. To see any one of these bands live is a magnificent experience of nonstop fun. To see them all over the course of two days is a headbanger’s dream come true. The 2014 lineup for M3 was announced on January 10th and tickets were quickly secured by yours truly. With a lineup like this, there was no way that I was going to miss M3 2014.

Now in its sixth year, the M3 festival has really hit its stride and knows what bands to deliver in order to make a well impacted punch. This is the first year I can remember where filler isn’t on the bill. In years past, I was able to plan out my trips for cheesesteaks, beer, and people watching based on what band was going to take the stage. This year, that will be almost impossible.

On Friday night, the festivities open with Winger. They are a great live band and I haven’t seen them perform in a couple of years. Obviously, theirs is a performance I do not want to miss. They are followed by Lita Ford, who puts on a strong live show of her own.

After that, Extreme takes the stage. I’ve never seen them live, but I am anxiously awaiting my chance to pump a fist in the air with the sounds of “Kid Ego,” and “Peacemaker Die.” If they pull out “Mutha (Don’t Want To Go To School Today)” I can go to the grave a happy man.

Following Extreme, it’s Kix, and if you don’t know what a great live show they put on, you haven’t read Hard Rock Hideout enough. After having WASP headline last year’s show, it is so good to see Kix back in the Friday night closing spot. Kix is, and always should be, the true Friday night headliners of M3.

And that’s just night one. For the second day of M3 I expect to be up bright and early, because Heaven’s Edge, John Corabi, and Femme Fatale have the first three spots. I think I am most excited about seeing Corabi perform, and I know that I will dust off my old Union CDs prior to heading to Maryland.

Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel, Autograph, Keel, and Jack Russel’s Great White take the stages next and I don’t see how I will find time to use the men’s room let alone grab a beer or a bite to eat. There is no way I can miss Red Dragon Cartel, Autograph and Keel have me very excited, and Jack Russell’s Great White can be a lot of fun. However, if there is any spot that I will pause for a break, it’s probably for Jack Russell. Sorry, Great White fans, I know he’s fun, but with a lineup this strong, someone has to be the weak link.

From there things really pick up. LA Guns, Stryper, Slaughter, Queensryche (Tood La Torre Version), Sebastian Bach, Night Ranger, and Tesla. Well, which one of those bands would you sit out for? That’s right, none of them. From the moment LA Guns turns on their amps to the last note from Tesla, Saturday is really going to rock in Maryland. That is the strongest string of performers in a row that I have ever seen in print. All of those bands are amazing, all of those bands have massive hits, and all of those bands can bring it live. And to see Night Ranger followed by Tesla will just leave me speechless (and hoarse).

I’ve attended a lot of festivals over the course of my music loving years, but I can’t recall ever being this electrified for one. M3 2014 is going to be flat out amazing. Yes, there are some bands missing that I still want to see (Vain and Pretty Boy Floyd come immediately to mind), but it doesn’t matter. With the talent that is contained over the course of these two days, M3 is THE spot to be in April if you are a head banging, metal music lover. It could be the best one ever.

Guitar virtuoso GUS G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as OZZY OSBOURNE’s guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has unveiled the album cover and track listing for ‘I AM THE FIRE’, his debut solo album to be released March 18, 2014 in North America. The album will be released internationally on Century Media Records, and will come out March 17 in Europe.

‘I AM THE FIRE’ TRACK LISTING:

My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)

Blame It On Me (featuring Mats Levén)

I Am The Fire (featuring Devour The Day)

Vengeance (featuring David Ellefson)

Long Way Down (featuring Alexia Rodriguez)

Just Can’t Let Go (featuring Jacob Bunton)

Terrified (featuring Billy Sheehan)

Eyes Wide Open (featuring Mats Levén)

Redemption (featuring Michael Starr)

Summer Days (featuring Jeff Scott Soto)

Dreamkeeper (featuring Tom S. Englund)

End Of The Line (featuring Mats Levén)

The cover artwork, pictured above, was designed by Gustavo Sazes / www.abstrata.net [Arch Enemy, Kamelot, Dream Evil]. A first song from the album can now be heard via the video for the album’s opening track “My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)”, which was produced by Patric Ullaeus / revolver.se [Within Temptation, In Flames, Lacuna Coil]. Click here to watch the video.

Says GUS G. of the song and album: “I hope you all enjoy the first taste of things to come. ‘My Will Be Done’ is a cool rock track with a modern edge to it… Looking back, I can’t believe all the great musicians that got on board for this album. Everybody brought in their unmistakable style and talent and they really lifted the songs! Check it out and enjoy the music!”

‘I AM THE FIRE’ was mixed by Jay Ruston [Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther] and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus’ home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album’s tracks include “Eyes Wide Open,” “Redemption,” “End Of The Line” and “Blame It On Me.” The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to GUS G.’s soulful playing.

The album’s first commercial single – title track “I Am The Fire (featuring DEVOUR THE DAY)” – will be released digitally February 25 in North America.

GUS G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL [Sweden], MYSTIC PROPHECY [German] and NIGHTRAGE [Greece], but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of OZZY OSBOURNE’s band that have helped him emerge as one of the world’s top metal and rock guitarists. His work on OZZY’s ‘Scream’ album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Metal Guitarist, the Dimebag Darrell Shredder award at the Metal Hammer UK Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece Best Guitarist on four separate occasions.

“Geek, author, guitarist, icon: when it comes to recounting the history of metal, SCOTT IAN is the man – catch him while you can.” – Alex Milas, Editor, Metal Hammer

At this point, it’s no surprise to anyone that legendary heavy metal musician, author, and television personality SCOTT IAN has a lot to say. After decades-worth of international touring with Anthrax, bumping elbows with illustrious (and sometimes ridiculous) characters all over the media spectrum, and undergoing general “you won’t believe this” experiences— SCOTT IAN certainly has some hilarious and surprisingly personal stories to share.

Following the resounding success of the UK leg of his “Speaking Words” tour, Scott is picking up the mic again for a 15-city North American leg, kicking off in Chicago, IL on February 20th.

An official “Speaking Words” tour teaser, featuring professional footage from his upcoming “Speaking Words: Live in Glasgow” DVD (pre-order coming soon), has been exclusively released via VICE Noisey today. Watch it here.

Don’t mistake this for your run-of-the-mill spoken word tour. In SCOTT IAN’s own words, “it ain’t no poetry reading” either. “Speaking Words” is an honest look at the insane life that Scott has led for the last 31 years, the people he’s met, and the events that coincide. During each show, Scott will take part in a special Q&A session with the audience.

SCOTT IAN adds, “England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Germany; I’ve been “Speaking Words” all over the world. My friends in the U.S. and Canada, you asked for it and now I finally get to bring it home! I’m looking forward to talking with ya, talking at ya and telling you some amazing tales of drunken debauchery and ridiculousness. No punches pulled, no swear word left unturned, and no question avoided in the Q&A. Let’s do this!”

A special opportunity to join a VIP meet & greet at each date is available now via SCOTT IAN’s webstore. This unique and limited event will allow you to spend time with Scott like never before. It’s a veritable post show hangout with a metal legend— one that’s sure to enrich your knowledge of not only all-things SCOTT IAN, but Anthrax and metal history in general. The VIP meet & greet also includes a special VIP laminate, banner, and other goodies. Learn more and get your passes here: http://bit.ly/1jXEPen

Currently Confirmed SCOTT IAN “Speaking Words” Dates:

2/20 – Chicago, IL @ Mayne Stage

2/21 – Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge

2/22 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre

2/24 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater

2/25 – Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo Club

2/26 – Kingston, ON @ The Mansion

2/27 – Ottowa, ON @ Ritual

3/01 – Baltimore, MD @ The Ramshead Live: Power Plant Live

3/02 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live

3/04 – Boston, MA @ Hard Rock Cafe

3/05 – New York, NY @ BB Kings

3/06 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon

3/07 – West Warwick, RI @ Manchester 65

3/08 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall

With a career spanning three decades, Scott is heralded as metal elite. As the co-founding member of Anthrax, SCOTT IAN helped to create the thrash metal genre in the 1980’s. Anthrax have sold over 10 million records worldwide, have multiple Gold and Platinum awarded recordings, multiple Grammy nominations and have toured the world over on roughly 90+ tours since 1984. SCOTT IAN is recognized as a constant and unanimously recognizable figure in the worlds of music, poker, comics, movies and television. Currently, SCOTT IAN hosts Blood & Guts for the Nerdist Channel, and along with Anthrax, is writing songs for their presently untitled 11th studio album, due out in 2014.

Emperors and Elephants released their debut album titled “Devil in the Lake” today via Pavement Entertainment.

Chicago’s own Emperors and Elephants is a hard driving, modern, heavy rock band in the vein of Alice in Chains, Shinedown, and Seether. Formed in 2010, they have been gathering great momentum in Chicago and its surrounding area. Their song”Your Will” has been featured on Chicago area active rock stations 105.5 The KAT and 95.1 WIIL Rock. The track gained so much attention from WIIL rock listeners that they were invited to play an on air acoustic performance.

With the recent addition of former Texas Hippie coalition guitarist Randy “The Arsonist” Cooper, the band is looking forward to taking the show on the road this year.

EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS released their lyric video for the single – WHO YOU ARE from the debut album “Devil in the Lake”.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY have released the album art, track listing and first single from their forthcoming LP due later this year. “Catacombs of the Black Vatican” is available immediately for iTunes preorder and the brand new single “My Dying Time” is also available for purchase.

Fans who pre-order the iTunes version will get the “My Dying Time” immediately as an instant gratification download.

“Catacombs of the Black Vatican” is the first all new LP from BLS since “The Order of the Black” was released in 2009, which debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Most recently, the band released the 2-CD set “Unblackened,” which found Black Label Society in a mellower mood in a performance taped at Club Nokia in Los Angeles last year.

The band recently announced “An Evening With Zakk Wylde,” a 13-city Canadian tour across Canada featuring intimate versions of some of the band’s most popular songs, as well as songs from Wylde’s best-selling solo album “Book of Shadows.”

Since their late nineties inception, Black Label Society, formed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of their genre. Their taste for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation.

Zakk Wylde, who has been called one of the true guitar heroes in modern history, served as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist for over 20 years in addition to his work with BLS. This collaboration led to a string of multi-platinum albums, including Osbourne’s biggest selling “No More Tears,” for which Wylde wrote all the music.

In addition to holding Guitar World Magazine’s MVP four years straight Wylde has been bestowed with such accolades as “Best Rock Guitarist” from Guitar Player, “Metal Guru” from the recently held Classic Rock awards in the UK, “Golden God” by Metal Hammer, the “Best Guitarist” Award from Revolver Magazine. Wylde has proven time and time again that his songwriting, guitar prowess, and on-stage persona, along with his larger-than-life personality, have made him a force to be reckoned with.

Black Label Society continues to enthrall fans around the globe, and “Catacombs of the Black Vatican” is another incredible piece in the band’s catalog.

LIVE SONGS, ORIGINAL DEMOS, VIDEOS, INTERVIEWS AND EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE

THE WINERY DOGS–Mike Portnoy (drums), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Richie Kotzen (lead vocals, guitars)— is getting 2014 started with a new round of tour dates and the release of two new special versions of their self-titled and self-produced debut album that debuted in the Top 10 on various Billboard charts.

Set for release in April, THE WINERY DOGS SPECIAL EDITION will be comprised of two-CDs. Disc 1 is the standard album and Disc 2 is entitled UNLEASHED IN JAPAN 2013, comprised of 10 songs recorded live in Japan during their July ’13 tour including “Criminal,” a track previously unavailable in the U.S., along with a 16-page booklet of live photos and lyrics. A deluxe package for die-hard fans will be released simultaneously. DOG TREATS: THE WINERY DOGS DELUXE SPECIAL EDITION will be sold in a box resembling a box of dog treats, and will include the SPECIAL EDITION collection of music, a DVD featuring four music videos and interview footage, demos from the original recording sessions, a “studio diary” written by Mike Portnoy, as well as some unique merchandise unavailable elsewhere.

After THE WINERY DOGS was originally released on July 23, 2013 on Loud & Proud Records, it debuted on Billboard’s “Top Alternative Albums” chart at #3, “Top Independent Albums” chart at #4, “Top Rock Albums” chart at #5, “Top Internet Albums” at #8 and “Top 200 Albums” chart at #27.

It also landed on numerous “Top 10 Albums of 2013” lists, including the prestigious “2013 Pazz & Jop” critic’s poll in New York City’s Village Voice, EddieTrunk.com (#1), MetalExiles.com (#1), Examiner.com (#1), ZoiksOnline.com (#1), Hardrockhaven.net (#3), AmpsAndGreenScreens.com (#3), GuitarWorld.com (#6), BraveWords.com (#6), VintageRock.com (#8), ClassicRockRevisited.com (#17). The album’s first single, “Elevate,” was the #1 Most Played song of 2013 on WDHA-FM in New Jersey and it reached the Top 20 on Mediabase’s “Mainstream Rock Tracks” chart.

The four videos that have been released (“Time Machine,” the latest single currently being serviced to radio, “Elevate,” “I’m No Angel” and “Desire”) have garnered over 1.5 million views on their official YouTube page.

Check out THE WINERY DOGS at any of the following U.S. tour stops (with more dates to be added in the coming weeks):

DATE CITY VENUE

3/25 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club and Grill

3/26 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club and Grill

3/27 Chicago, IL Arcata Theatre

About Loud & Proud Records:

Loud & Proud Records is an independent record label founded in 2007 by Tom Lipsky whose mission is to provide a true and transparent partnership between artists and their record label. Labels under Lipsky’s direction in the past (CMC International, Sanctuary Records Group) have been among the market leaders in the veteran artist space, delivering Gold and Platinum albums and DVDs for Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Iron Maiden, Styx, Megadeth, Bad Company, REO Speedwagon and more. In a previous joint-venture with Roadrunner Records, Loud & Proud was responsible for new albums by Rush, Lenny Kravitz, Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Steve Miller Band and Ratt. Loud & Proud’s newest artist is five-time Emmy Award winning actor (currently on ABC’s Nashville) and musician Jonathan Jackson and his band Enation. 2013 releases include critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Willie Nile, supergroup rock band The Winery Dogs and Seattle’s artistic envelope-pushers Walking Papers. The label is currently in an exclusive distribution, marketing and label services agreement for U.S. and Canada with RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. International distribution is via Sony Music Entertainment Germany, Sony Music Entertainment France, Sony Music Entertainment Australia, RSK Entertainment Ltd. (UK) and RSK Affiliates in select European countries. Loud & Proud Records is a registered trademark of Lipsky Music, LLC.

‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’, the new studio album from American metal legends ICED EARTH, is on-sale today in North America via Century Media Records. The album is now available worldwide, and can be streamed in its entirety on Spotify. ICED EARTH will bring the new album to their North America homeland when their headlining WORLDWIDE PLAGUES TOUR hits our shores April 4 for a six-week run with SABATON and REVAMP in support. See complete tour dates below.

The new album is available in retailers across North America and digitally via Amazon [click here] and in an iTunes deluxe edition [click here] that includes the iTunes-only ‘Lyrical Concepts of ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’ bonus video. Additionally, exclusive ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’ bundles are on-sale now at CM DISTRO. Album and merchandise packages include the following:

ICED EARTH also joined forces with our favorite local record stores to release 500 limited-edition, hand-numbered vinyl “bootleg” copies of ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’ on January 14. This extremely limited “bootleg” pressing of the band’s new album became an instant collector’s item and is available only in record stores in North America. Click here to find your nearest local participating retailer.

In addition to the album streaming in its entirety on Spotify, you can also watch the official “Plagues Of Babylon” lyric video by clicking here, and hear the album track “Among The Living Dead” by clicking here. ICED EARTH have also released a video trailer to preview the album and their upcoming WORLDWIDE PLAGUES headlining tour that can be watched by clicking here.

“This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover,” says Jon Schaffer of ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’. “I’m sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog. We feel that the package with SABATON and REVAMP is very strong and we are very excited to tour the U.S. and Canada again and kick some major ass!”

Exclusive VIP packages for the entire ICED EARTH North American tour are available now at www.enterthevault.com. VIP packages will remain onsale while supplies last.

Beginning with their groundbreaking self-titled debut album, ICED EARTH has remained steadfastly committed to championing heavy metal and continues to be one of America’s greatest classic metal bands. ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’ is no exception. From the sheer power of the title track and neck-breaking thrashers like “Among The Living Dead,” to the haunting “Cthulhu” and the colossal “If I Could See You” and “Spirit Of The Times,” ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’ takes fans on the thundering power trip that has become ICED EARTH’s trademark.

‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON’ Track Listing:

1. Plagues Of Babylon

2. Democide

3. The Culling

4. Among The Living Dead

5. Resistance

6. The End?

7. If I Could See You

8. Cthulhu

9. Peacemaker

10. Parasite

11. Spirit Of The Times

12. Highwayman

A few things to know about ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON':

Songs 1-6 form the ‘PLAGUES OF BABYLON story line, part of the ongoing ‘SOMETHING WICKED’ Universe™

Not only musicians and freelance artists know this phenomenon: it’s impossible to deliver top creative performances at the push of a button. You need peace, leisure, and – most of all – a certain amount of serenity to create truly great works of art. “We used to be under permanent pressure from our record companies,” says Magnum mastermind Tony Clarkin. “They kept calling us, demanding hit singles and radio numbers. But that sort of thing doesn’t work on demand. Now we’re with SPV, where it’s a totally different situation. They give us the necessary time and trust us to do the right thing. That’s probably the reason why I enjoy working with Magnum again.”

Clarkin’s regained joy in his band is omnipresent on the latest Magnum offering, Escape From The Shadow Garden. Just like his simple yet logical work ethos: “I simply told myself: you’re a passable guitarist, so you should play the guitar. As the band’s guitarist and producer, I have all the freedom I need to create exactly what I feel like creating.” The result of his latest burst of creativity consists of eleven wonderfully melodic rock songs, which blend all the typical Magnum ingredients, sounding in a fascinating way both timeless and classic. “This band has certain unmistakable trademarks,”Clarkin explains. “Among them are my feel for melodies and Bob’s unique vocal style.”

Only a month after the release of its predecessor, On The 13th Day, Clarkin started with the preparations for Escape From The Shadow Garden – as always an exciting phase in his life. “Before you haven’t recorded and mixed every single note, you never really know whether you’ll be happy with the result. When I heard the final version of the eleven new songs with their different stories and diverse arrangements, I knew it had turned into an impressive and complete album. Together with the great cover artwork designed by Rodney Matthews (Asia, Nazareth, Eloy), this is a release, which forges an arch to the early days of Magnum’s career. And that’s wonderful! I was really happy when my friend Jimmy Lea of Slade came to visit me at the studio again and said: ‘You’ve done it again?’ It doesn’t matter whether by sheer luck or hard work – life could have gone a totally differently way.”

‘Escape From The Shadow Garden’ will be release on Steamhammer / SPV on March 19th in Scandinavia, March 21st in Germany, March 24th in Europe and April 1st in the US/Canada.

‘Escape From The Shadow Garden’ will be available as a limited digipak edition with bonus DVD, as a double gatefold coloured vinyl LP set incl. bonus track, standard jewel case CD and download.

Jake E. Lee returning to the hard rock world was one of the greatest pieces of music news in all of 2013. The soon to be released album album from Red Dragon Cartel will be released January 28th. You can check out Red Dragon Cartel’s first video “Deceived” below. Crank it up and enjoy!!

VOLBEAT ANNOUNCES RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA ON HEELS OF BEST METAL PERFORMANCE GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR “ROOM 24″(VOLBEAT FEATURING KING DIAMOND)

Coast-To-Coast Tour Begins April 3 At The Fillmore in Denver, CO

With Trivium and Digital Summer Supporting

Volbeat returns to North America on April 3rd for a tour of the U.S that brings the Danish quartet coast-to-coast. The run begins at The Fillmore in Denver, CO, and will wrap the second week of May on the East Coast with Trivium and Digital Summer supporting.

The band will arrive on North American shores on the heels of their first Grammy Nomination in the Best Metal Performance category for “Room 24″ (Volbeat Featuring King Diamond). Alongside this industry honor, Volbeat has become a staple at Active Rock radio, cementing the band’s relevance with five consecutive #1 singles at the format. The most recent “Lola Montez” follows “The Hangman’s Body Count” which held on to the top spot for five weeks, and prior chart toppers “Warrior’s Call,” “Still Counting” and “Heaven Nor Hell.”

In the U.S., Volbeat’s most recent album release via Republic Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies has exceeded 200,000 copies sold, while overseas the title has been certified platinum in their home country of Denmark, Germany and Austria, with gold sales in Finland.

Since forming in Copenhagen in 2000, Volbeat has released five studio albums, and two live offerings that have turned the band into superstars, collecting platinum discs and prestigious awards making them one of the most talked about bands around the world. Volbeat’s fifth album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, debuted at No. 1 in the band’s home country of Denmark alongside Canada, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Austria. The new release saw a debut at No. 2 in Finland, No. 4 in the Netherlands and Sweden, and No. 9 in The United States. Volbeat is Michael Poulsen (vocals/guitar), Anders Kjølholm (bass) and Jon Larsen (drums), joined by former Anthrax/The Damned Things guitarist Rob Caggiano, who produced the new album with longtime Volbeat co-producer Jacob Hansen.

The upcoming tour marks Volbeat’s fourth visit to North American this album cycle, and follows an excursion as headliners of the Monster Energy Rock Allegiance Tour in August and September, 2013. This past year, the band has been one of the largest touring draws on the European continent headlining both festivals and a arena tour, and they appeared at the major Japanese festival Summer Sonic 2013 in both Tokyo and Osaka. Cumulatively, Volbeat has performed for over a million fans since the current album was released. Confirmed appearances for Spring, 2014 include:

Launched in 2009, Nashville based FnA Records was formed with the goal of serving up the best and rarest unreleased and re-issued hard rock, glam rock and heavy metal from the late 80’s and early 90’s. Now 5 years later and with a catalog of over 100 titles in print, the label’s roster boasts many former major label artists as well as renowned regional favorites.

One of the rare gems you’ll also find on the label is Freight Train Jane featuring Jaime St. James of Black n’ Blue on lead vocals. Two of the members on the release by Vandal went on to become members of the Grammy-nominated band Disturbed. The critically acclaimed Royal Blood album features guitar virtuoso Alex Masi and Rocky Newton of the Michael Schenker Group. You’ll find a just out of high school drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater/Avenge Sevenfold) on the album by The Sweet S.A. Adams Project. Multiple releases by Greg Leon, the original lead guitarist of Dokken and one-time teaching co-hort with Randy Rhoads, are available on FnA Records.

FnA Records has carved its niche in the glam rock market by releasing CDs by many of the most popular acts that infested the Sunset Strip in the late 80s and early 90s. Exclusive and rare studio recordings are available by Alleycat Scratch, Wanted, Queeny Blast Pop, Vaudville, No Sympathy, Fatal Attraction and many others. But all the glitz doesn’t end in Hollywood. The label also offers the best bands from the Chicago, Memphis, New Jersey and New York.scenes. More lipstick and hairspay than you’ll know what to do with and much more to come in 2014.

As FnA Records celebrates its 5th year anniversary, the company shows no signs of slowing down with dozens of new releases and several big announcements scheduled or 2014. The year will start with the much anticipated releases by Freight Train Jane, Theatre, Vandal, Love Razors, Nikki Foxx, Vaudeville, Frenchee, Cristeen and Gibraltar. More details, including logo, photos, bios and catalog, are available at the company’s website.

“Destroy The Angels”, the new video from Polish rock/metal band Cochise can be viewed below.

The song is taken from band’s forthcoming album “118” scheduled for release on February, 24th 2014 in Europe and March, 11th 2014 in North America (via MVD). The clip was shot in Warsaw, Poland and was directed and produced by Bui sisters.

Paweł Małaszyński, vocals comments: “’Destroy the Angels’ is a dark song about love and slavery. It was one of the very first ideas that came to my head when I was sitting in a ho-tel room no. 118. I knew right away that we should record a video to this track and I knew exactly what it should look like. It’s hard to film such a video without a huge budget. With sisters Bui it came out just perfect.”

The band’s third studio album “118” proves that they can remain true to the rock tradition and still enrich their sound with fresh and original ideas.

The band was formed in 2004 in Białystok, Poland. The current line-up includes: Paweł Małaszyński on vocals (he is also a very successful movie actor in Poland), Wojtek Napora on the guitar, Radek Jasiński on the bass guitar and Czarek Mielko on the drums. So far, they have released a demo “9” plus two full-length releases – „Still Alive” in 2010 and „Back to Beginning” in 2012. On their studio albums, Cochise perfectly blend energetic songs enriched with heavy, almost metal sounds with more delicate, atmospheric ones. And that’s exactly what you can expect from their forthcoming release “118”.„Coincidentally, the new album marks the band’s tenth anniversary” – Radek Jasiński, the band’s bassist, comments. “It will be our third release and, on the one hand, it will show how far we have gone since our very beginning and, on the other, it will prove that, despite the changing music trends, it’s still us – the same musicians who still love to play rock music”.

Paweł Małaszyński, the vocalist, reveals the meaning of the album’s title: „Due to my work as an actor, I spent the last two years of my life travelling. Different cities, different hotels, where I can also work on new music. For some reason, the hotel rooms I stayed in were al-ways number 118. For me, the room 118 means the exchange of energy. It’s really important who you’re sharing it with. It’s a claustrophobic, intimate place, filled with emotional waste – which you could compare to a peeling wallpaper – that has seen everything our minds cannot understand. It’s a room where we sleep with our eyes wide open, hidden in the corners behind spider webs of doubts. It’s a rare type of insanity… still cherished and still wanted… buried behind the door to the room 118”.

Italy’s Martiria are to release a brand new album “R-evolution” on Rocksector Records, on 10th February 2014. The band includes former-Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven and Hell drummer Vinny Appice. The release celebrates the 10th anniversary of Martiria’s first album release “The Eternal Soul” in 2004.

Based in Rome, Martiria was originally formed in 1987, focusing mainly on doom metal. After several years delay whilst the members pursued alternative projects, the band re-grouped in 2002, released the debut album in 2004 and a further 4 albums up to and including 2012’s “Roma S.P.Q.R.” A small number of line-up changes occurred through these years – former members include Rick Anderson (Warlord) – culminating in the 2013 line-up which has recorded the new release….

The resulting style of “R-evolution” is a combination of the band’s original doom metal vision including references to the sounds of Candlemass and Black Sabbath, mixed with the uplifting influences of classic and power metal. There’s drama and poerty in the superb vocals and lyrics, whilst the soundscape is epic and moving. Finally, of course the drumming of Vinny Appice adds a further dimension of undeniable quality.

The relationship with Vinny Appice was forged when in 2006 both Andy Menario and Marco R. Capelli worked with the drummer on the Power Project, which also featured Carl Sentance (ex-Krokus), Carlos Cavazo (ex-Quiet Riot), and Jeff Pilson (ex-Dokken).

“R-evolution” will be released physically into UK and Europe, and digitally worldwide, on 10th February 2014. A pre-order package will be available from 10th January.

The trailer video for the album, complete with the entire song for the first single “Revolution” is available to watch at youtube now on this link http://youtu.be/2TrGewuX38w

Prepare to be amazed! Live the Dream, the upcoming all-instrumental album from guitar wunderkind Ethan Brosh, is due out March 4 on drumming legend Carmine Appice’s new label, Rocker Records LLC, and Brosh’s dazzling chops and limitless imagination as a player and composer will undoubtedly delight metal aficionados and fill them with awe.

An honest-to-goodness guitar hero, Brosh, who grew up in Israel, is a daring six-string acrobat who plays with fire and precision, never sacrificing technical proficiency for flashy showmanship – although his dynamic, fleet-fingered solos, furious riffs and complex acoustic figures are wildly entertaining. Having added to his already bulging bag of tricks, the Berklee College of Music graduate, now an instructor at the school, soars to new heights on Live the Dream, pushing the envelope with supernatural guitar wizardry and drawing up stunningly inventive musical designs that are wondrous to behold.

“Rocker Records and Carmine Appice are excited to be working with one of metal’s up-and-coming young stars,” said the label’s Michael Cusanelli.

They are not alone in their admiration. Mixed by Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth) and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Iron
Maiden), Live the Dream – with cover art painted by Joe Petagno – is progressive and intellectual in its construction, showcasing refined melodic sensibilities
and a maturing instinct for developing intricate and diverse harmonies. Live the Dream, an album Brosh began promoting last spring while touring in support of
Yngwie Malmsteen, finds Brosh quickly evolving as a songwriter, even going so far as to effectively experiment with flamenco, trading off nylon string and
full-on electric guitar parts in a completely unique and beguiling fashion while also employing the formidable talents of Megadeth’s Dave Ellefson in a way
nobody would expect.

Brosh used to be in the band Angels of Babylon with Ellefson, who appears on two Live the Dream tracks. Together again, they go nuclear on the track “Rude
Awakening.”

“The intent here was to create a heavy, in-your-face kind of tune with a real mean groove to it!” said Brosh, joined by bassist Alex Pierce and drummer Tyler
LeVander on Live the Dream. “I figured this tune could use the help of the greatest thrash metal bassist Dave Ellefson! I still can’t get over how huge
Ellefson’s bass intro sounds after the incredible mix of Max Norman!”

Brosh is just as enthused about the title track. “I feel this tune defines a lot of my guitar playing at this point in time,” he said. “It’s an epic tune that
combines some hard rock riffs that have lots of drive to them. I believe the beginning is a perfect introduction to this record and its dream concept!”

A product of an enjoyable creative process, “Space Invaders” is mind-blowing as well. “Since this is a guitar instrumental record after all, I figured I’d have
some fun with writing a tune that has a fast riff and lots of guitar harmonies, etc., etc. … I’m really proud of the way it came out because I feel the melodies
came out strong in the end,” said Brosh. “To me, that’s really important. People seem to respond really well to this one when we play it live. Maybe it’s because
it has too many nooooooootes!”

It’s a good bet they’ll embrace “Clean Slate,” too.

“The tune started as a guitar only idea,” said Brosh. “It developed through time. When I sit at the edge of the stage and play this tune, it is an intimate
moment between the audience and me, regardless of the crowd size. Once the band joins in with a big bang, it really hits the listener hard! I think we managed
to capture that vibe very well on the record, too. I have a feeling this will be a tune that stands out for people!”

Heavy Metal Giants VICIOUS RUMORS start a new chapter and welcome new band members Nick Holleman on lead vocals, Tilen Hudrap on bass guitar and welcome back Bob Capka on guitar.

Nick, a native of Holland, has a powerful melodic voice with great range and tone. A natural talent with high octane stage presence and endless sustain. VR fans old and new were stunned by his performance on the last tour in the USA. Nick was hired on the spot after band leader Geoff Thorpe saw a video on Youtube!” I just imagined him singing our songs and it works perfectly. Once we met and the chemistry was right I realized I found the right guy for the job!”

Tilen is a native of Slovenia. After a series of auditions, Tilen was hired last summer to fill in on tour. The band liked his aggressive playing and monster stage presence so much that he was invited to join the band as a full time member after his first show in July. Tilen already played 2 world tours with the band (Europe and USA, 50 shows) and appears in the newest video for the title track off the current album “Electric Punishment”.

VR welcomes back Bob Capka, who played on the highly acclaimed ” Electric Punishment” CD and has been on 3 tours in Europe and the USA. Bob brings shredding solos and riffs as well as a hunter’s killer attitude to the stage show.

Original members guitar player Geoff Thorpe and drummer Larry Howe are proud to officially announce that this killer new line-up has already recorded a new live album!

The legendary institution that is Vicious Rumors is stronger and faster than ever. After eighty shows on tour in 2013, the new VR line-up has recorded the massive “Live U to Death 2 American Punishment”. VR has captured the power and precision with classics that have never been recorded live. “Towns on Fire”, “Worlds and Machines”, “Master Mind”, “World Church”, “You Only Live Twice”, to name a few. Thirteen tracks in total. The album was recorded during the “American Punishment Tour” in the United States of America in Sept/Oct 2013.

Four albums in four years the mighty, VR ball is sharper then ever. Upcoming tours include European summer festivals,a South America Tour in September/October and also Australian/New Zealand shows in 2014′. Vicious Rumors will play the “70.000 Tons of Metal” festval cruise this year from January 27th – January 31st playing the whole “Digital Dictator” album in its entirety for the first time ever!

Don’t miss VR’s epic Heavy Metal Attack… “Live U to Death 2 American Punishment” on SPV/Steamhammer to be released early 2014. Look for VR on Tour as the ball rolls through your town in the 2014.

Lynch Mob will rock the west coast in February, delivering classic favorites and tracks from the latest record while introducing a new vocalist for the diversely-pedigreed band.

For twelve years with Dokken, George Lynch was able to develop a groundbreaking brand of guitar virtuoso that would also earn a Grammy nomination. In the early 1990s, Lynch launched his own project, Lynch Mob, which harnessed the talent of rock’s best players and released several well-received records, from 1990s WICKED SENSATION to the most recent UNPLUGGED. Tracks like “Wicked Sensation,” “River of Love” and “Tangled in the Web” have solidified George Lynch’s position on Guitar World’s list of Greatest Guitarists Of All Time. Live, Lynch Mob is described as desert- infused blues-based rock with a penchant for extended improvising, harkening back to the glorious jam days of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

“…a guitar hero by anyone’s standards.” Legendary Rock Interviews

“…one of the most gifted musicians on the planet…” Rock Music Star

Lynch’s current work also includes the film “Shadow Nation,” which explores a hybrid way of life, merging modern society with the ancient practices of people who have lived in harmony with the land for thousands of years; native American Indians. The film reveals its message through the journey of a group of renowned musical artists as they share their rock music on a road trip through Indian reservations of the southwest. http://shadowtrainmovie.com/synopsis/ He has also teamed with Arcane Inc. to create a new signature series of Mr. Scary guitar pickups http://mrscaryguitars.com/pickups/.

The current iteration of Lynch Mob is an unusual combination of rock backgrounds. Bassist Kevin Baldes is an original member of the Orange County alternative rock band Lit. Lit’s platinum album A PLACE IN THE SUN spawned three top ten hits including “My Own Worst Enemy.” He’s also played with Sugarcult, MEST and Good Man Down. Jimmy D’Anda is on drums. With L.A. based rock band BulletBoys and its hit “Smooth Up In Ya,” he earned a Gold album and toured the world with rock’s biggest acts.

Being introduced on this tour is new vocalist Thadeus Gonzalez. With Oakland-based Electric Sister, Tad enjoyed critical acclaim from not only the release of THE LOST ART OF ROCK & ROLL, but also supporting gigs with KISS/Motley Crue, Slash, Black Label Society, and Danko Jones. He’s been called “a frontman to watch” and “a definitive rock ‘n’ roll voice.”

The Hellpop II Tour came to Cincinnati, Ohio’s Bogart’s on Sunday night, but there was a little problem. You see, In This Moment had to postpone their show, as Maria Brink has been ill.

With the absence of the tour’s headliner, Bogart’s and the other bands on the Hellpop II Tour decided to make this a free show. Anyone could walk in and check out this event, and judging from the packed house at Bogart’s, many did.

Before the Mourning, All Hail The Yeti, Devout the Day & Butcher Babies took advantage of the situation by electrifying the crowd with their heavy, hair flying metal. The Cincinnati fans loved definitely loved every minute of it. The show had more crowd surfers than I have seen at any local events in quite some time. All of the bands were great, but it was the Butcher Babies who stole their show.

Devour The Day singer, Blake Allison joined in the crowd surfing fun during the band’s set, and The Butcher Babies’ Heidi Sheperd and Carla Harvey got up close and personal singing to the crowd atop the Bogart’s pit barrier, while the security scrambled to hold them up, and manage to deflect the onslaught of crowd surfers that made their way into the pit.

This show could have easily been cancelled, but instead it turned out to be a great night of metal in Cincinnati. In This Moment & Butcher Babies will return to Bogarts on February 3rd, 2014. Don’t miss them!

Guitar virtuoso GUS G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as OZZY OSBOURNE’s guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, is proud to announce the March 18, 2014 release of his debut solo album ‘I AM THE FIRE’ in North America. The album will be released internationally on Century Media Records, and will come out March 17 in Europe.

A first song from the album can now be heard via the video for the album’s opening track “My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)”, which was produced by Patric Ullaeus / revolver.se [Within Temptation, In Flames, Lacuna Coil].

You can watch the video here:

Says GUS G. of the song and album: “I hope you all enjoy the first taste of things to come. ‘My Will Be Done’ is a cool rock track with a modern edge to it… Looking back, I can’t believe all the great musicians that got on board for this album. Everybody brought in their unmistakable style and talent and they really lifted the songs! Check it out and enjoy the music!”

‘I AM THE FIRE’ was mixed by Jay Ruston [Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther] and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus’ home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album’s tracks include “Eyes Wide Open,” “Redemption,” “End Of The Line” and “Blame It On Me.” The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to GUS G.’s soulful playing.

The album’s first commercial single – title track “I Am The Fire (featuring DEVOUR THE DAY)” – will be released digitally February 25 in North America.

GUS G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL [Sweden], MYSTIC PROPHECY [German] and NIGHTRAGE [Greece], but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of OZZY OSBOURNE’s band that have helped him emerge as one of the world’s top metal and rock guitarists. His work on OZZY’s ‘Scream’ album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Metal Guitarist, the Dimebag Darrell Shredder award at the Metal Hammer UK Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece Best Guitarist on four separate occasions.

Metal Tank Records signed the Italian Stoner / Rock sensation CIRCLE OF WITCHES. The band will release their upcoming album entitled “Rock the Evil” on February 15, 2014.The first preview from the album has been posted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCJEEP2wvbk

As previously announced, Metal Mind Productions will re-release the debut album by the best Polish hard rock band – Kruk. The album entitled “Before He’ll Kill You” was first released in 2009 and now will be available again in a new digipak edition enriched with three bonus tracks recorded live in 2011. The release date is scheduled for February, 24th in Europe and March, 11th in North America (via MVD). The album should be interesting for fans of such big Artists as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath or DIO.

Today, you can watch the video promoting the album. “Lady Chameleon” video is available on the band’s official channel on YouTube in THIS location.

In mid-January, the band will enter the studio to record material for a new, fourth album which will be released by Metal Mind Productions later this year. More information coming soon!

Tracklist:

1. Lady Chameleon
2. Be a Dream
3. The Guillotine
4. Reality (It’s A Foolish Cry)
5. The Escape
6. Dream Just A Dream
7. Paranormal Power Lasts
8. Out Of The Body
9. Before He’ll Kill You

The band was formed in 2001 by Piotr Brzychcy and Krzysztof Walczyk. The band members were heavily inspired by Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep and it was these influences that shaped Kruk’s music, placing it within a classic rock framework. In 2006 Kruk recorded the album “Memories” with Grzegorz Kupczyk (Ceti’s & ex-Turbo’s vocalist). The album was a tribute to the aforementioned bands. In the next years, Kruk followed their own path and managed to forge their own sound. Their proper debut album entitled “Before He’ll Kill You”, released in 2009, was well received both by media and by music fans. The year 2011 marked the release of their second studio album. Doogie White (ex.Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tank) made guest appearance on “It Will Not Come Back”. The album was enthusiastically reviewed both in Poland and overseas. Kruk supported such legends of rock as Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Graham Bonnet, ex-singer from Rainbow, and Michael Schenker Group. In 2012 Kruk released their latest album “Be3”. Piotr Brzychcy commented on the title of the new album: “’Be3′ is a reflection of what is happening in our music and in ourselves. We are here now, we write music, we play it, we’re releasing another album, we love doing it and, most importantly, we are free to do so. It’s a kind of a manifesto which says – we do not want to change that state.”In 2014 the band plan to release their new studio album.

As one life cycle ends another one begins. They are back and ready to “Spread The Ashes”

Back From Ashes is proud to announce a new track to kick in 2014. Their new single called “RIZEN” was engineered and produced by Byron Filson of Villian Recording Studio.. It is the first track completed with their new singer Billy “Zane” Muna and drummer Bobby Anderson.

When Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terry “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward formed Black Sabbath in 1969, they created a signature sound that set the blueprint for heavy music and influenced generations of disciples for years to come. For the first time, the full catalog from the original Black Sabbath lineup is now available digitally in the U.S. and has been mastered specifically for iTunes, ensuring the delivery of the music to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers, and producers intended. Available exclusively on the iTunes Store worldwide (www.iTunes.com/BlackSabbath), fans now have the ability to download all albums in one newly created bundle (THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS 1970-1978), eight legendary studio albums, two classic compilations, or simply purchase each song individually.

“It’s about f**king time the first eight Black Sabbath albums were made available on iTunes in the U.S.,” said Ozzy Osbourne.

“Great news, been a long time trying to explain to fans why the music wasn’t available,” Tony Iommi commented.

“It’s going to be great to finally have the catalogue accessible on iTunes,” Geezer Butler notes.

BLACK SABBATH: THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS 1970-1978 features the band’s collected studio works for Warner Bros. Records from the 1970’s, including their iconic eponymous debut (1970), the multi-platinum landmark Paranoid (1970), the platinum albums Master Of Reality (1971), Vol. 4 (1972), and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), and the gold-certified Sabotage (1975), Technical Ecstasy (1976), and Never Say Die! (1978). Also available is their classic 1976 compilation We Sold Our Soul For Rock ‘N’ Roll as well as 2006’s Greatest Hits 1970-1978, which was released in connection with their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Following wildly successful shows in North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe, Black Sabbath will kick off another North American tour with dates starting March 31 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. The trek will hit ten cities in Canada, including stops in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton, before wrapping April 26 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA. These dates will be part of the band’s final shows of their 2013-2014 world tour in support of their first studio album in 35 years, 13, which entered the charts at #1 in 13 countries (including their first #1 in the U.S.). Another run of European festivals and headlining shows will follow this summer.

First formed in Birmingham, England, Black Sabbath’s doom-laden sound pioneered a new kind of heavy rock music, a sound that would later influence hundreds of other bands. Many consider Black Sabbath to be the godfathers of heavy metal, but Sabbath were capable of surprising their fans with songs that showed other facets of their skills besides darkness and monstrous decibels. Thirty years after their initial impact, guitarists are still stunned by Tony Iommi’s jaw-dropping riffs, Geezer Butler’s swooping bass lines, and Bill Ward’s thunderous drums. And, of course, in Ozzy Osbourne the band had one of the most magnetic and unpredictable front men ever in rock, with a maniacal voice like few others before or since.

IN THIS MOMENT Preview ‘BLOOD AT THE ORPHEUM’ Live DVD With Release Of “Beautiful Tragedy” Footage

‘BLOOD’ Special Edition With Bonus ‘BLOOD AT THE ORPHEUM’ Live DVD On-Sale January 21 In North America

Exclusive Pre-Sale Packages Available Now At CM DISTRO

THE HELLPOP II Tour Underway With

BUTCHER BABIES, DEVOUR THE DAY & ALL HAIL THE YETI

“WHORE” Remix EP On-Sale Now Digitally

Band To Set Sail On SHIPROCKED Cruise January 26

With the January 21 release of ‘BLOOD’ Special Edition only a week away, IN THIS MOMENT are offering a taste of the two-disc set online – watch “Beautiful Tragedy” from the bonus ‘BLOOD AT THE ORPHEUM’ live DVD here:

watch here:

The ‘BLOOD’ Special Edition package is set for a January 21, 2014 release in North America and includes a bonus cover of the NINE INCH NAILS track “Closer” on the ‘BLOOD’ CD, and a live DVD featuring a full 100-minute concert shot in Madison, WI, earlier this year, behind the scenes footage and interviews. In Europe, ‘BLOOD AT THE ORPHEUM’ will be released February 17 as a limited edition standalone DVD, and digitally in an audio-only format.

The 2014 M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, MD have announced their lineup, and it is a great one! The M3 Rock Festival takes place April 25th and 26th in Columbia, MD. Tickets go on sale January 17th. More details at m3rockfest.com.